Basic Emergency Medical Technician Program

Overview

The Emergency Medical Services Program at Lansing Community
College offers a Basic Emergency Medical Technician Program.
LCC's program results in a well-educated Basic EMT, providing
education beyond the Basic EMT minimum requirements. The program
can be taken in two different configurations. Click on the
Advising Guide to see the options available for completing the
program.

The Emergency Medical Service Program is accredited by:

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education
Programs (CAAHEP) upon recommendation of the Committee on
Accreditation of Educational Programs for Emergency Medical
Services Professions (CoAEMSP) located at:

1361 Park Street
Clearwater, Florida 33756
They can be contacted at (727) 210-2350 or at
www.caahep.org.

The student must complete an ICHAT Criminal Background
Investigation through
www.michigan.gov/ichat and submit documentation from ICHAT
to the EMS office before beginning the clinical course, EMTA
112. The EMS office is located in the Health and Human Services
Building, Room 108. All records showing on a background check
will be sent to the LCC Risk Management Office for acceptance
into the program. Meeting the deadline for a refund is the
student's responsibility.

Other Related Courses

For those students interested in obtaining an Associate
Degree in EMS or for those that have special interest in
specific components of EMS, the following courses are available.

EMTA 105 - Ambulance Driving

EMTA 114 - Rescue/Extrication/Dangerous Situations

SPCH 110 - Oral Communication in the Workplace

WRIT 124 - Technical Writing or WRIT 127 - Business
Writing

*BIOL 145 - Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology -
OR -

*BIOL 201- Human Anatomy and BIOL 202 -
Human Physiology

*BIOL 145 or BIOL 201 and BIOL 202 are required as a
prerequisite for admission to the Paramedic Program. BIOL 201
and BIOL 202 can be taken concurrently.

These courses may be taken concurrently with the Basic EMT
Program courses (EMTA 101,102,103,104 and 112). Students
interested in obtaining an associate degree must complete CORE
curriculum requirements in addition to the above courses and the
Paramedic Program.

Students are required to purchase some medical supplies,
appropriate clinical attire and update their immunizations,
including the Hepatitis B series. These costs are in addition to
regular course fees.

State licensing is performed through the Division of
Emergency Medical Services of the State of Michigan Department
of Community Health, EMS Division. A written and practical
examination offered by the National Registry of EMT's must be
taken for licensure.

Basic Emergency Medical Technician Career Facts

Nature of Work

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) typically are dispatched
to the scene of an incident by a 911 operator and often with or
are themselves police and/or fire officers. Once they arrive,
they determine the nature and extent of the patient's condition
and try to ascertain whether the patient has preexisting medical
problems. Following strict rules and guidelines, they give
appropriate emergency care and, when necessary, transport the
patient. Emergency treatments for more complicated problems are
carried out under the direction of physicians by radio preceding
or during transport. The EMT is trained to care for patients on
accident scenes and on transport by ambulance to the hospital
under medical directions. The EMT has the emergency skills to
assess a patient's condition and manage respiratory, cardiac,
trauma and many medical emergencies.

Most career EMTs work in metropolitan areas. There are many
more volunteer EMTs in smaller cities, towns, and rural areas.
They volunteer for fire departments, emergency medical services,
or hospitals and may respond to only a few calls for service per
month, or may answer the majority of calls, especially in
smaller communities.

Employment Prospects

Employment of emergency medical technicians and paramedics is
expected to grow 20-35 percent through 2018. Population growth
and urbanization will increase the demand for full-time paid
EMTs rather than for volunteers. In addition, a large segment of
the population, the aging baby boomers, will further spur demand
for EMT services, as they become more likely to have medical
emergencies.

To practice in the State of Michigan, individuals must pass
the written practical exam prescribed by the National Registry
of EMTs. Upon completion individuals then apply for a Michigan
EMS License through the Michigan Department of Community Health,
EMS Division. The license must be renewed every three years.

Skills You Need

EMTs and paramedics are required to have physical and
emotional strength and stamina, as well as skills in
interpersonal relationships and effective communication and
critical thinking. Students must have a high school diploma or
GED and complete the educational requirements set forth by the
Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry Services, EMS
Division.

Expected Earnings

Earnings for EMTs depend on the employment setting and
geographic location as well as the individual's training and
experience. The average salary for an EMT is $27,000-$29,000,
and increases when based with a hospital or fire service.

Curriculum

Course Offerings

Many of the courses listed below are offered at LCC throughout
the academic year and can be taken to upgrade current skills or
fulfill degree and certificate requirements. Visit the
Course Offerings page for information pertaining to courses
available during a particular semester and to view course
descriptions.

Related Information/Links

Physical Guidelines

Students must be able to do

STRENGTH. Perform physical activities requiring
ability to push/pull objects more than 50 pounds and to
transfer objects of more than 100 pounds.

MANUAL DEXTERITY. Perform motor skills such as
standing, walking, writing; manipulative skills
requiring eye-hand coordination and arm-hand steadiness,
taking blood pressure, and using various types of large
and small equipment.

COORDINATION. Perform body coordination such as
walking, running, climbing stairs, retrieving equipment
and moving patients from the floor/bed/chair to a cot.

MOBILITY. Physical abilities to maneuver in small
spaces (ambulance) and treatment areas. Ability to walk,
stand, kneel, stoop, and to be in prolonged
uncomfortable positions.

VISUAL ABILITY. See objects far away, see objects
close and to discriminate colors. Visual ability must be
sufficient for driving an ambulance and for observation
and assessment necessary in patient care. Students will
perform such skills as detecting a patient's color,
checking pupils, and reading medication labels.

HEARING. Be able to hear normal sounds with
background noise and distinguish sounds sufficient to
monitor and assess health needs. Necessary activities
include hearing monitor alarms, emergency signals,
listening to breath sounds, and hearing radio
transmissions.

CONCENTRATION. Concentrate on details with moderate
amount of interruptions.

ATTENTION SPAN. Attend to task/functions for periods
up to 60 minutes in length and to attend to
task/functions for periods exceeding 60 minutes in
length.

MEMORY. Remember task/assignments over both short
and long periods of time and recall theory and skills
information in clinical and simulation situations
throughout the program.

CRITICAL THINKING. Apply the theory taught in
lecture courses in simulations and clinicals. Ability
must be sufficient for clinical judgment in patient
care.

INTERPERSONAL. Interact with individuals, families,
and groups from a variety of social, emotional,
cultural, and intellectual backgrounds. Must be able to
establish rapport with patients, colleagues, faculty,
and professional staff.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE. No evidence of current alcohol or
drug abuse.

Environmental Conditions

As an EMS student you will be exposed to a variety of
substances within the work environment, hospital sites, and
ambulance agencies. You can expect exposure to weather
changes, blood, body tissues, and fluids. There is the
potential of exposure to electrical hazards, hazardous waste
materials, radiation, poisonous substances, chemicals, and
loud or unpleasant noises. Weekly clinical rotations and the
ambulance internship result in frequent exposure to high
stress emergency situations.

Students will be required to complete a mandatory
on-line OSHA Blood-Borne Pathogen and Universal Precautions
program.

Scholarships

The awards are offered for a maximum of three semesters over
a period of two consecutive years (Fall, Spring and one Summer
Semester.) Renewal each semester is contingent upon the
recipient meeting all award requirements. The Awards will cover
up to $1,096 in tuition and fees each fall and spring semester
and up to $382 for an optional summer semester. These amounts
will cover approximately 12 billing hours plus partial fees in
Fall and Spring Semesters and 4 billing hours plus partial fees
in Summer Semester. An award recipient must: